July 9, 2016 - 10:00 amGuest Speaker - Robbie Bos"Bugs, Health, & Harvest"Creepy crawly bugs... what is a grower to do? Your plants need good health also so you are eating good nutritious food. And learn when to harvest your crops.

August 13, 2016 - 10:00 amGuest Speaker - Robbie Bos"Mulching and Soil Nutrition"Yep, we're still talking about water conservation and keeping your plants healthy and strong so all your growing efforts are keeping you strong and healthy as your eat your harvests.

September 10, 2016 - 10:00 amGuest Speaker - Robbie Bos"Preserving Your Harvest"You spent all year growing your potatoes, and cucumbers, and beans. Now how do you make them last during the winter season so you eat while you watch the snow fall?

October 8, 2014 - 10:00 amGuest Speaker - Robbie Bos"Winterize Your Veggie Bed""Yes, it is getting cold and you have harvested most of your garden. Now how do I make sure my raised bed is ready to go for next year?

May 3, 2014 - 10:00 amGuest Speakers - Celia and Gene De Frank"Soil Preparation"Local vegetable growers here in the Big Bear Valley, team Celia and Gene have their own special blends of soil for seed planting and growing all their own vegetables. Their years of experience and knowledge makes Celia and Gene a library of information. Focusing this Saturday on soil, come learn how you can prepare your soil for this years growing season.

May 10, 2014 - 10:00 amGuest Speaker - Fran Wyman"Starting Seeds Indoors for a Jump Start in Your Garden"An 'A Garden Club' member, co-founder of the Community Gardens, and also a local vegetable grower, Fran has years of experience starting vegetable seed indoors, and then transplanting them into her garden when the weather is just right. Bring pad and paper so you can jot down information on starting your own seed indoors.

May 17, 2014 - 10:00 amGuest Speaker - Marv Cira"Compost - That Wonderful Soil Blend You Can Create Yourself"Our local educator and vegetable grower, Marv has been composting "everything" in his yard for many years now. Sometimes he even plants his melons and squash right up top and dead center on his compost piles. Marv will share with us his knowledge of composting, natures perfect fertilizer for your plants, both vegetable and ornamental. Why buy compost or fertilizer when you can make your own with material you have on hand.

May 24, 2014 - 10:00 amGuest Speaker - Robbie Bos"Frost Protection" - Keeping your newly planted veggies from late freezing frostsCommunity Garden Founder Robbie will share info on how to protect your newly planted seeds and veggies from our late mountain frosts that could still happen up till June 9th. You just purchased and planted plants, or you just planted your transplants that you have been babying since last month, and now Ben Brissey on KBHR 93.3 says it is going to freeze tonight. Come learn how you can keep your veggies warm and safe from the damage of our freezing nights.

May 31, 2014 - 10:00 amGuest Speaker - TBA"NO WORKSHOP THIS SATURDAY"There will be no workshop this Saturday.

- - - - - - - - - -JUNE 2014

June 7, 2014 - 10:00 amGuest Speaker - Greg Anderson"Vermicompost"Learn how red worms convert kitchen scraps and junk mail into a nutrient rich organic fertilizer called vermicompost, its a super efficient method of recycling. Greg owns a large red worm farm in Apple Valley, CA called the World Wide Worm Farms, and sells live red worms, vermicompost, and worm tubes… basically, everything needed to start composting waste and creating vermicompost which is an all-natural way to fertilize house plants and outdoor gardens.Go GREEN With RED worms.

SPECIAL NOTE: Greg will be bringing worms. If you would like some, please call me right away, so that I can tell Greg how many worms to bring. - Robbie 909-486-8736

June 14, 2014 - 10:00 amGuest Speaker - Robbie Bos"Drip Systems"As overhead water systems are not "Water Wise", we are looking at alternatives. Join Robbie in a talk about "root delivery water systems". We will have hands-on installation of a drip system, and share ideas of different ways of watering your vegetables and plants in the gardens and in your home garden.

June 21, 2014 - 10:00 amGuest Speaker - Tom Kirkham"Aguaponics"Aguaponic Farming is very popular with farmers and individuals these days. Tom will share with us how fish create food for small organisms, which create food for vegetable plants, and how the cycle of water links the three in one continuous integrated system. Tom is Eagle Mountain Solar, Plumbing and Heating, and his personal interest in aguaponics has got his attention. Join us and Tom for an interesting morning of this newer farming technique.

June 28, 2014 - 10:00 amGuest Speaker County Master Gardener - Janet Hartin"Nurturing Your Soil for Health"The UCCE Master Gardener Series brings us three (3) classes this year.This is class "number 1". First class is Janet Hartin, Master Gardener. Great soil is our number one goal in gardening. Let Janet tell us the steps and ingredients to make our garden soil what it needs to be.

July 12, 2014 - 10:00 amGuest Speaker - Mike Nolan"All Aspects of Pest Control"Home Defenders Mike Nolan is here to share with us the many ways of dealing with our critter friends. Learn from Mike the friendly and not so friendly ways of working with our squirrels, gophers, and other mammals and insects we share this space with. Mike has a most comical ad in the paper every week. If you have missed it, you need to start becoming a fan. Every week is entertaining. Last year Mike drew a huge crowd. So come early, pick out a bench, and listen to our own pest control owner Mike share his experiences and talents in all aspects of pest control.

July 19, 2014 - 10:00 amGuest Speaker - Xeriscape Garden Tour"Private Tour of the Xeriscape Gardens"Today is the 12th Annual FREE Xeriscape Garden Tour. The DWP Xeriscape Demonstration Garden is on the tour, meaning the Community Garden is also on display. So join us as we tour the Demonstration Gardens, located in our own front yard, on our own private tour. The Demo Gardens has 7 sections, and we will visit each one, discuss the plants and the master mind thinking behind each. Come see how amazingly colorful native plants can be with very little water use.

July 26, 2014 - 10:00 amGuest Speaker - Sharon Palmer - The Plant Powered Dietician"Plant Powered Eating for Optimal Health"Sharon Palmer, RD, registered dietitian nutritionist, and nutrition journalist, will share her best tips for including whole plant foods in your diet for optimal health. Sharon will also have a cooking demonstration for us, Southwest Quinoa Black Bean Salad. Get your taste buds ready! And a special treat, Sharon will be signing her books for us - The Plant-Powered Diet, and Plant-Powered For Life. For those of you following Sharon, bring your book signing pen for this fabulous event.

August 9, 2014 - 10:00 amGuest Speaker - Rita McMillian"Fermenting Your Veggies"Rita McMillan will show us a new and delicious way to preserve our harvests into the winter with fermenting. Food samples included. Yummy.

August 16, 2014 - 10:00 amGuest Speaker - Elise Vasquez"Nutrition Workshop"Elise is a Certified Health Coach and teaches classes to parents and care givers of children 3-12 on how to get their families to eat healthy, move more, and improve behavior. Elise also teaches Prime Time health classes to adults 40 and over to learn how to deal with/eliminate pain, inflammation, and other 'age' related issues through diet changes. Elise offers free nutrition workshops to share with people the truth of what is in their food, about GMO's, certain ingredients to ALWAYS avoid, when one must buy organic, and the proper way to wash fruits and vegetables. Elise's goal is to teach people how to take back their health from the hands of their doctors and pharmacy as the best healthcare is self-care.

August 23, 2014 - 10:00 amGuest Speaker - Master Gardener - Ann Platzer, The Butterfly Lady"Attracting Butterflies Into Your Garden"The UCCE Master Gardener Series brings us three (3) classes this year.This is class "number 2" - Ann became a Master Gardener in 2006 and in 2007 The Friends of UCR Botanic Garden made her an Honorary Friend For Life. Ann's garden was one of six featured gardens on the Riverside County Regional Medical Center garden tour. During the last 25 years, she has volunteered at the UCR Botanic Gardens where she is now in charge of succulent propagation for the bi-annual plant sales. Her garden passion revolves around succulents, butterflies and birds. She and husband Ed have converted their barren lot into a drought-tolerant native butterfly nectar and host plants intermingled with cacti, succulents, vegetables, fruit and nut trees, and eight ponds. With 30 species of butterflies visiting yearly, this is one experienced butterfly lady. Come enjoy how you too can enjoy butterflies in your garden.

August 30, 2014 - 10:00 amGuest Speaker - Bill La Haye and Amelia Ray"Native and Drought Tolerant Plants - Water Conservation"The Department of Water has lots to share with us. From colorful native plants to drip irrigation. Learn about native seed gathering, water conservation, and how you can improve your garden today. Bill La Haye and Amelia Ray have years of plant knowledge, water use, and information worth sharing. This is one local talk you need to be here for.

- - - - - - - - - -September 6, 2014 - 10:00 amGuest Speaker - Robbie Bos - founder community gardens"Putting Your Vegetable Garden To Sleep for the Winter"The possible end of our growing season is almost upon us. Knowing when and what to harvest, what plants to remove, how to remove your plants, to compost or trash, cover crops, dig in nutrients, or grow all winter. Yes, these subjects will enlighten, inform and help you decide on all of your options.

September 20, 2014 - 10:00 amGuest Speaker - Terry Tindell"EM1 Composting"A new way of composting? Yes, Terry from the "A" Garden Club will share with us this new technique. Composting is the most organic way of fertilizing your soil, and getting the healthiest vegetables you can grow and eat. We all need good composting skills and knowledge.Terry will help us grow, in the garden, and in our heads!We are almost at the end of our growing season. This might be a good thing to learn before you put your growing bed to sleep for the winter, or give you the information you need for the spring before you plant your seeds.

Mother’s Day has come and gone, which means Big Bear Valley has the green light to start planting and working in the garden. To help you get started, the Big Bear Valley Community Gardens Project is hosting a series of educational workshops every Saturday from May 18 through September 2013. The workshops are FREE and open to the public. Held at the Community Gardens first location known as "China Gardens" on Fox Farm Road behind CVS and across the street from Kmart, participants should bring their own chair and something to drink.

And the full schedule through September follows.

- - - - - - - - - -MAY 2013

May 18, 10:00 AMProtecting Against Late Spring Frost — Mother’s Day may be behind us but that doesn’t mean we are completely safe from a late season frost. Find out how to protect your newly planted veggies. Presented by Robbie Bos.

May 18, 1:00 PMHow to Build a Self-Watering Planter, Global Bucket — You can have fresh vegetables in the smallest of spaces. Learn how in this fun workshop. Supplies are not necessary but if you bring two 5-gallon buckets and 2ft of 1 inch PVC pipe we will help you with the tools needed to make the planter. Presented by Fran Wyman.

May 25, 10:00 AMPreparing the Soil — Learn how to turn crummy dirt into rich soil with tips on how to compost. Presented by Marv Cira.

- - - - - - - - - -JUNE 2013

June 1, 10:00 – 11:30 AMRoots of My Obsession — Kick Off National Gardening Week with multiple speakers and demonstrations. Presented by A Garden Club.

June 8, 10:00 AMDirt is GOOD for You — Learn why working the soil is not only good for your plants but for you as well. Composting tips included. Presented by Marv Cira.

June 15, 10:00 AMSecrets and Growing Tips for Growing Vegetables in Big Bear — Learn tricks of the trade from an avid Big Bear gardener. Presented by Alan Clark

June 22, 10:00 AMFrom Seeds to the Dinner Table — Learn how to get off to a good start with growing and seed germination tips from a serious mountaintop grower. Presented by Ceila De Frank.

June 29th, 10:00 AMAvoiding Injuries While Working in the Garden — Learn tips and techniques to keep you healthy and pain free after a day of gardening. Presented by Dr. Calvin Pramann.

- - - - - - - - - -JULY 2013

July 6, 2013 - 10:00 AMCooking With Rhubarb / Nancy Clark — Learn a delicious and easy new recipe for turning the easy to grow Rhubarb into something wonderful to eat.

July 13, 2013 - 10:00 AMThe Right Time of the Year for Heirloom Seeds / Pete Pothier — Sharing the joys of using heirloom seeds, what’s the difference between heirloom and ordinary seed, plus where to find these amazing seeds.

July 20, 2013 - 10:00 AMTired of Fighting Gophers / Mike Nolan — Local pest control expert, Mike Nolan, provides some interesting ways to thwart gophers and other critters without poisons. Find out how to win the war, or at least a few battles against rabbits, ground squirrels, tree squirrels, and gophers. Share your success stories with others, too. We’re in this together.

July 27, 2013 - 10:00 AMA Healthy Garden / Robbie Bos — You’ve planted your radishes, lettuce, and beans; now what? Learn how to care for and nurture your crops for the best harvest this summer and fall.

- - - - - - - - - - - - -AUGUST 2013

August 3, 2013 - 10:00 AMFermenting Your Veggies / Rita McMillan — Raw food cook, Rita McMillan will show you a new and delicious way to preserve your harvest into the winter with fermenting. Food samples included. Yummy.

August 10, 2013 - 1:00 PM (NOTE TIME CHANGE)Secrets of Canning and Blanching Your Harvest / Karen Bishop — This year the Big Bear apple and pear trees should be loaded with fruit. Learn how to preserve and store some of summer’s bounty with this class on how to use canning and blanching techniques safely and easily.

August 17, 2013 - 10:00 AMDry It Out, Eat It Up... Dehydration / Christie Walker — Learn tips and techniques to dehydrating using either your oven or a dehydrator. Great for preserving fresh herbs, fruit, and veggies. Includes samples of homemade dehydrated pineapple and bananas.

August 24, 2013 - 10:00 AMBenefits and Tips on Building a Green House / Barbara Moore — It’s hard to believe but summer is almost over and soon we’ll be preparing for the winter. If you want to grow year round up here in Big Bear, you’ll need a green house or cold frames. Learn what’s involved from local Barbara Moore.

September 7, 2013 - 10:00 AMJuice Plus+ Tower Gardening - Keeps You Growing All Year Long / Terri Bolton — Sharing her lifelong advocation of health and fitness, Terri knows personally that healing comes from healthy living, calling Juice Plus+ her "insurance from the inside-out". Learn about the 26 fruits, vegetables, grapes, and berries that make Juice Plus+ your personal health and nutrition fuel. And growing your own Tower Gardens gives you the farmer's market at home. Join Terri for an overview of the "Power behind Juice Plus+" and taste, touch, and smell the joy and convenience of the Juice Plus+ Tower Garden.

September 14, 2013 - 10:00 AMFall Planting for Spring Crops / Peggy Otterstrom — Planting in the fall for spring eating, is it possible? Big Bear Valley's well known resident Peggy has been doing this for so many years, growing her own food, raising chickens, enjoying fresh eggs, and having no automobile, she walks and rides her bicycle everywhere. Peggy will share with us foods to plant this fall that will give us food in the spring. Learn what gardening all year long means and how you can enjoy an early spring harvest.

September 21, 2013 - 10:00 AMKids and Nutrition - Straight From The Garden / Patrice Carlisle and Jill Zomoyta -- Yes, nutrition is vital to a growing child. Patrice and Jill will share with us the importance of nutrition and kids. Taking vegetables straight from the garden location, you will be sampling healthy and tasty veggies. Learn how easy it is for our children to grow and eat healthy, and the options you have.

September 28, 2013 - 10:00 AMMedicinal Herbs / Charla Shamhart — Charla has been working with herbs and herbal medicine for over 40 years and has been doing herbal and nutritional consultations for over 30 years. Attend this workshop by Charla and learn about the healing herbs that can help you become your better, healthier self."The doctor of the future will give no medicine, but will interest his patients in the care of the human frame, diet, and in the cause and prevention of disease." – Thomas A. Edison

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It has been a great year, with lots of subjects and discussions and knowledge shared. We hope to see you all again at our FREE Saturday Workshops in 2014 !